Comments about the Farnes from an ex-Head Warden who proudly served the islands for fourteen years

Saturday, 7 February 2015

Thank you Seahouses

Glad Tidings One legends; Bobby (left) and the late Billy (right)

Archie and Ian

William with his son Oliver

Lads working hard; (from left to right) Micky, Craig and James

John 'Findus'

Peter and Adam

Happy times; Bobby, Steely and Billy

The late Billy Shiel

Saturday 7th
February comments: As I continue to say goodbye to the FarneIslands,
I’m reflecting on the 14 years I have spent living and breathing ‘Planet
Farnes’. During that period many people have helped and supported myself and
the teams and this is the start of the many thanks I owe to the people
involved.

Seahouses is the gateway to the FarneIsland
and for me it’s the people of the village which make it. Without the close
friendship and loyalty of the boatmen, the job would not have been the same. In
there own unique way, they made me feel part of community as I got to know the
lads and their families very well over the years.

The boatmen have been the real stars of the show as they
have educated and showed me the ‘ways of the sea’ whilst helping in many ways
from lifts in rough seas to bringing out post and water when needed most.

The Glad Tidings fleet, run by the late Billy Shiel and then
his son William have been supportive over the years and it was his crews which
made life on the islands that bit more enjoyable. Whether it was Bobby talking
footy (he still remains a hardened Newcastle United fan despite my best efforts
to convert) or the late Billy chatting about his latest camera woes, it was all
good crack. Craig (GT6 skipper) and Micky (GT 7 skipper) have been there with
me throughout the 14 years and I’ve enjoyed the banter throughout and we’ve had
a good few Wardens vs Boatmen footy matches over the years.

Archie the ‘grumpiest’ well loved boatmen of them all is a
real character of the village whilst his son Ian skippered Glad Tidings 4 with
great crewman Martin. Others to mention include Robert (St.Cuthberts Skipper)
with his top class commentary, Andy (Serenity Skipper) with all his wildlife
sightings and enthusiasm and George (Golden Gate Skipper) who attended the
lighthouses on behalf of Trinity House.

Other thanks go to Marta in the harbour booking offices,
Gloria, Jade and Keith in the National Trust shop, all the girls at the Co-op,
the guys at the Fruit and Veg shop, the good crack at the The Ship (and to the
wonderful Jane who works there) and the Bamburgh Inn. I can’t mention Seahouses
without their fish and chip shops or all the others who have offered friendship
over the years from the RNLI team to the local fisherman. I thank each and
every one of you.

It’s been a great pleasure to know all these people and many
more and I thank you all. I’ll not be a stranger to the place as I hope to
extend my friendships for many more years to come. Seahouses thank you for
being a part of the FarneIslands success story and
thank you for letting me be a part of you.